Advanced Nuclear Reactors

[arthwollipot]

There was hype about small, mass produced reactors, and I missed it?

There was a small amount of hype, yes.

Small nuclear reactors that can power a city being evaluated for safety

The assessments of small modular reactors are being carried out at an early, pre-licensing stage and are intended to promote shared understanding of safety principles.

interestingengineering.com

 

[Roger Ramjets]

Never plan for decreasing energy consumption. That's just stupid.

Energy consumption in the UK 2025

UK energy consumption has been declining since the early 2000's. No reason to believe the trend won't continue, especially with EV's (which are 3 times more efficient than internal combustion powered vehicles) taking over in transport.

 

[theprestige]

Energy consumption in the UK 2025
View attachment 68522
UK energy consumption has been declining since the early 2000's. No reason to believe the trend won't continue, especially with EV's (which are 3 times more efficient than internal combustion powered vehicles) taking over in transport.

It's easy to consume less energy when you're doing less stuff. I'd be impressed if the UK's GDP were going up while its energy consumption went down.

 

[junkshop]

It's easy to consume less energy when you're doing less stuff. I'd be impressed if the UK's GDP were going up while its energy consumption went down.

Be impressed, then:


UK GDP - source

 

[Puppycow]

As long as we're on graphs, look at this one:

In 1973 fossil fuels accounted for 94.92% of Japan's energy consumption. By 2010, it was down to 81.80%. But then it jumped all the way up to 93.79% in 2012 again. This of course was after the tsunami and Fukushima disaster. As of 2024 it was back down to 82.95% but we still haven't even quite returned to 2010 levels yet. Safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy would be great if we can get there someday. I have my doubts about fusion getting there any time soon.

 

[Ziggurat]

UK energy consumption has been declining since the early 2000's. No reason to believe the trend won't continue, especially with EV's (which are 3 times more efficient than internal combustion powered vehicles) taking over in transport.

Your industrial usage tanked, because you surrendered most of your manufacturing capacity. That was not a good plan, if it even was a plan.

 

[Ziggurat]

Be impressed, then:

UK economic growth seems to have largely stalled over the past 15 years. That’s impressive?

 

[junkshop]

Weird, I could've sworn there some goalposts here.

 

[Ziggurat]

Weird, I could've sworn there some goalposts here.

Yes. It's a bad idea to plan for reduced energy consumption. That was the goalpost. It might happen as anyways, but it's not actually desirable. The UKs past drop in energy consumption came about by the collapse of its industrial output, which was not a good thing.

 

[acbytesla]

Your industrial usage tanked, because you surrendered most of your manufacturing capacity. That was not a good plan, if it even was a plan.

You and I agree on something. Amazing. But guess what? They're not the only country. So has the US.

 

[zooterkin]

Your industrial usage tanked, because you surrendered most of your manufacturing capacity. That was not a good plan, if it even was a plan.

What do you mean, "Your"?

 

[Ziggurat]

You and I agree on something. Amazing. But guess what? They're not the only country. So has the US.

Absolutely, I agree. It was a mistake, and one we should not double down on by planning for even less energy usage in the future rather than more.

 

[acbytesla]

Absolutely, I agree. It was a mistake, and one we should not double down on by planning for even less energy usage in the future rather than more.

I agree with that too. But I do believe in conserving energy through increased efficiency as opposed to sacrifice.